Free Forever Fit program for older adults in Echo Park

In order to improve the physical and mental health of older adults, Cedars-Sinai is offering free Forever Fit classes.

Community Health Improvement (CHI) professionals at Cedars-Sinai organize and teach the fitness program. Forever Fit was first launched in Culver City, and it has now expanded to Echo Park two weeks ago. These classes offer a total-body workout, encompassing cardio, balance and strength exercises. It’s a 16-week program that meets three times a week for an hour. The program also consists of 25 participants per class.

CHI programs are offered at no charge throughout the year. Their programs include lectures presented by leading health experts, immunization clinics, evidence-based fitness programs, community health screenings and events. As part of their commitment to addressing serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease and cancer, they also work with a wide range of community partners.

Data on the importance of exercise for older adults comes from a Cedars-Sinai study led by geriatrician Allison Moser Mays, MD. As part of the research study, investigators followed older adults who participated in group exercise classes for six months.

“What we found is that older adults who participate in group exercise classes not only have physical benefits for their health and a decreased risk of falling, but they also have increased social connectedness and decreased levels of loneliness,” Moser Mays said. 

CALÓ News also spoke with Melissa Mandujano, a community health associate in the CHI department at Cedars-Sinai. “This program helps a lot with fall prevention and balance flexibility, and we have a strength training portion where they all get weights and they start off with what they feel that they're comfortable with. And then hopefully they increase it to more as the weeks go by,” she said. “Forever Fit is an evidence-based program, and it's designed for older adults. Anyone who is 50 and over is welcome to join this program.”

Mandujano also explained how programs like Forever Fit are beneficial to Latino health. “I think it's important because what I see just with my family and just what I see in the community, even starting at this Echo Park location, I see that there's a lot of older adults that are taking care of their kids, or their children's kids,” she said. “I feel like this is going to be a great way for them to set aside an hour for themselves either before they pick up the kids or because they want to add an exercise routine of at least an hour twice a week, whatever they can do to help them with that during these times.”

According to the CDC, regular physical activity is vital for healthy aging because it helps delay and prevent many chronic diseases, and it can also help reduce the risk of premature death. Despite these benefits, 31 million adults that are 50 or older were inactive in 2014. 

Many will think that aging is a reason to stop exercising but it is not. It is actually quite the opposite. It simply means older adults need to find new ways to do it. And that can be done by swimming, dancing or with programs like Forever Fit.

Bobbi Flusser, 79, said the class has improved her shoulder and back pain as well as her quality of life. “It’s helpful both socially and physically,” Flusser said. “Exercise is important for your total health—balance, cardio, stretching, and walking. It just covers everything. I would recommend this class to everyone.”

Mandujano said that the area of Echo Park has a different population than the one in Culver City. “I think it's great to include this program here. I've been going out in the community and doing outreach, and everybody's like, ‘What, an exercise program? And it's free?’ And I feel like it's something new for them, and I know that they can take advantage and see the benefits once they finish the class,” she said.

She also recently enrolled a Spanish-speaking participant who thought it was a one time event, but it is not. Mandujano wants to emphasize that this is a 16-week free training program. “These programs are to help older adults feel better and stronger. And if your doctor has recommended for you to be a little bit more active, this is a great way to do it. If you can't think of other things to do at home, this is a good way,” she said.

Cedars-Sinai is looking to expand Forever Fit to other community centers as it is beneficial and impactful for older adults. Individuals who are interested in joining the program can enroll by calling (310) 423-9581.

Echo Park Location:

Monday, Thursday & Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Children's Institute Inc., Otis Booth Campus, 2121 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026

Culver City Location:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Culver City Senior Center. 4095 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA 90232